Interfaith Congregational Conversations Going Deeper: The Current Issues Driving Israeli- Palestinian Relations

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1 Interfaith Congregational Conversations Going Deeper: The Current Issues Driving Israeli- Palestinian Relations I n February, four congregations North Presbyterian Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Temple Beth Zion, and Congregation Shir Shalom began to explore some of the pressing issues that led to the decision of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to divest of three corporations doing business in Israel that aids or maintains the construction of the fence of separation, as well as issues dividing Israeli- Palestinian relations today. divestment will offer a status report on the discussion within the PC(USA) regarding divestment specifically, and relations with Israel generally. This is an opportunity for our communities to learn from one another and engage in open discussion of issues where we disagree, said the Rev. Bill Hennessy, pastor of North Presbyterian Church, while maintaining the deep friendship we share. On Sunday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m., at Westminster Presbyterian Church (724 Delaware Ave., Buffalo), the conversation will continue. Everyone is welcome. This event will be a simulation of a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly (GA). The purpose of the simulation will be to give participants a hands-on experience of how the GA works and how issues get discussed, presented, and voted upon. J. C. Austin of Auburn Theological Seminary and a leader of the movement opposed to 1 These conversations are designed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of the complex issues that affect the State of Israel and to facilitate dialog between Presbyterian and the Jewish community. Save the Date The final conversation in the series is Sunday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m. at Congregation Shir Shalom (4660 Sheridan Dr., Amherst). A brief documentary titled The Promise will be presented, followed by a discussion.

2 Refugee Friends: A Blessing in My Life By Carol Suckow, Deacon My grandfather and mother, both children of missionaries, were born in India. At age12, I spent seven months with my grandparents in India and decided that being a missionary was possibly my calling. About 50 years later I found myself in Botswana, Africa, working on an AIDS project, feeling like an outsider but longing to embrace the people and culture of that country and to be accepted by them. These experiences gave me a keen understanding of what it felt like to be in countries where everything I knew and relied on to function day to day had to be changed quickly. I was deeply touched by the warmth and hospitality of the people I met during these experiences. Although I did not become a missionary, I made a promise to myself that whenever the opportunity arose I would show kindness and acceptance to those who came to my country, just as they had shown to me. Carol s grandparents were missionaries in India. When she visited them, she felt like an 2 outsider, but it helped her later to empathize with refugees. My interest in refugees coming to Buffalo was piqued by the deep involvement of my sister-inlaw, Cindy Kahler, who worked with Vive la Casa and Journey s End Resettlement Center in Buffalo. My own work and family commitments limited how involved I could be with refugee agencies, but supporting different mission efforts through the church and privately have made it possible for me, in a remote way, to relate to and help others in some small way. Then I met Rami Al Maqdasi and his wife Raya Jarjees and his brother Hani when they started attending North Church. Knowing them renewed my awareness that starting over in a new place is always a challenge. As a young woman Carol spent time in India and thought she might grow up to be a missionary. My husband Dale and I had moved 12 times in the first 10 years of our marriage. I remembered the loss of friends, the distance from family, and the difficulty I felt in trying to find a place where I would be understood and could belong. I pondered how much more challenging it must be for all refugees leaving so much behind, only to be faced with uncertainty about work, language barriers, strange food and American customs. I knew that my life would be deeply enriched if the Al Maqdasis and I could share our life experiences. So I asked them to be friends. I believe God sends people into our lives to help us grow as individuals and as part of all humanity. I

3 have found the best way for me personally to achieve that growth occurs when I come to know someone whose life experience is so distinctive from my own, that I can joyfully embrace rather than be anxious about any differences that exist between us. I thank God every day for the blessing of these refugee friends in my life. Thank you to Carol Suckow who wrote this personal essay after the Adult Education forum on refugees, Exodus and Exile, in February and March. Adult Education Sunday, 9:30 a.m., library April 3 Embracing a Life of Meaning, Place Matters DVD with Kathleen Norris Why is it so difficult to start conversations about values and end-of-life issues? Our intention is to provide ways to find the words and the ways to communicate our wishes and the support to implement our plans. Our faith perspective greatly influences our choices as we consider mortality and end-of-life decisions. Our church could be the place to start these conversations. April 10, 17, and 24 Discussions of Healthcare at the End of Life We will be using resources such as the Presbyterian study: In Life and in Death We Belong to God ; The Conversation Project ; Dying Wishes (The Christian Century, Nov.12, 2014) and Atul Gawande s Being Mortal. 3 Lasagna Dinner-Fundraiser Sunday, April 17, at noon Come support our Youth Group and enjoy some delicious homemade lasagna with meat sauce, salad, and dessert. Your donations will be gratefully accepted. Take out or eat in our hall. No pre-orders. Book Groups (library) (Visit Morning (10:00 a.m.) April 20: Stories from the Shadows: A Reflection of a Street Doctor by James J. O Connell May 18: The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World s Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley by Eric Weiner Afternoon (1:00 p.m.) April 27: Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson Sympathy and Prayers Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Lucille Weaver and Alice Bunnell, who passed away on March 3 and March 11, respectively. A memorial service honoring the life of Rev. Weaver will be held Friday, April 22, at 2 p.m. A memorial service honoring the life of Alice Bunnell will be held Saturday, May 7, at 5 p.m. If you wish to make a memorial gift to North Church in memory of either of these women or anyone, you may do it securely online at Click on Donate and follow the instructions.

4 Thank You! In March, you gave generously through Presbyterian Women to Church World Service Blankets. With over $200 you helped provide comfort in times of crisis to hurting and displaced families in such far-flung places as Sudan, Pakistan and Nicaragua. Thank you! Women s Circles Martha Circle: Tuesday, April 12, at 1:30 p.m., in the church library. Sarah Circle: will meet on Wednesday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dickinson Room. EAT. PRAY. CONNECT. Niagara/Northeast Branch of the Presbytery of Western New York Join churches and clergy, including retired and at-large, on Monday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m., at North Presbyterian Church, North Tonawanda. (168 Payne Ave.) Food, fellowship, worship and connecting. Simple meal of potluck/pizza at 6:30 p.m. Bring a dish to pass or throw a few dollars in the pot for the pizza. We ll eat, pray and get to know one another, closing by 8:00 p.m. This is not a business meeting. Church members attending can be church officers or not. For planning purposes, we ask that folks register by or text by April 18 to Stuart Buisch or Mary Beth Karr sbuisch2@buffalo.edu ( ) mbkarr@verizon.net ( ) EAT. PRAY. CONNECT. 4 Presbyterian Women Winter Gathering Saturday, April 30, 2016 Stormy Waters Practicing Faith Program practicing faith through workshops: Labyrinth Weaving plastic mats for the homeless Breathing techniques Wayside Presbyterian Church, Hamburg, NY 5017 Lake Shore Road (NY Route 5) Cost is $5.00 for registration and lunch Worship leader: Rev. Rachel Brown Mission action: for Cornerstone Manor (bring beauty and hygiene products) RSVP by April 15 to cluster leader or to Peggy Fanning, Come and Sing! We hope many of you will sing on May 15 for Tales of Wonder. Some of you have indicated you are thinking about joining the choir for the musical. On April 3 during coffee hour after the 10:45 a.m. worship service, please come by the table in Westminster Hall and formally commit to being part of this amazing production by picking up your CD and learning about when practice times will be held. Calling All Aviators Children of all ages (in mind, body and spirit) are invited to come make but more importantly learn to fly paper airplanes with Colin Drury on Sunday, April 10 from noon until 12:30 p.m. in

5 Westminster Hall. All supplies will be provided. (Club 4-5-6: this will be part of your activity that day.) Making Friends with Death A lecture and a workshop at North Amy J. Miller first encountered Tibetan Buddhism in 1987 and since has engaged in meditation retreats, study, teaching, and Buddhist center management throughout the world. Prior to meeting the Dharma, Amy was a political fundraiser in Washington, DC and also worked for Mother Jones magazine in San Francisco, Calif. She is the co-author of Buddhism in a Nutshell and trained exclusively in hospice work in San Francisco during the AIDS epidemic. Her lecture is scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6. The workshop/retreat is on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The lecture will explore self-esteem, inner contentment, and creating meaning in life. The workshop will focus on facing death with peace, dignity and no regrets. These events are open to all levels of students, particularly those who have a keen interest in preparing for death and hospice work. The events have relevance to caregivers as well. Register for the lecture at Register for the workshop at p-venerable-amy-miller The Pentecost Offering Investing in our Greatest Resource Young people are our future and our greatest resource. The Pentecost Offering, one of four Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA), is unique in that congregations direct a large share of the collection to local ministries benefitting youth at risk. The remainder of the offering supports ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. One of the programs receiving support is the Youth Triennium, which will be held again this summer. Many youth from our congregation have participated in Triennium. This year the Pentecost Offering will be taken on May 8. It seems appropriate that Mother s Day be selected to focus on the needs of youth. The Mission Committee has selected Plymouth Crossroads to be the recipient of the local portion of the 2016 offering. Plymouth Crossroads offers transitional housing for young men who have no other support system. Many are parentless, homeless and hungry. Residents work to complete their education, develop job skills, and transform themselves into contributing, productive members of society. On May 1, we will have a visit from staff members of Plymouth Crossroads. They will share information about the very important work they are doing and will join us for coffee hour with stories and further information. You can also visit We have worked with Plymouth Crossroads in the past, and you are encouraged to read the eye-opening thank 5

6 you note from them posted on the Mission Bulletin Board. Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised more than $11 million for ministries that benefit young members of God s family. Please join us to be informed as you consider your part in this effort. New Fund Honors Former Christian Educator Mary Mohlke Established through memorial gifts made in honor of Mary Mohlke, the Mary Mohlke Fund for Spiritual Formation has been established at North Church. The fund s goal is to promote spiritual formation and lifelong learning. The fund will provide financial support for individuals to attend classes, conferences, etc. on subjects such as spirituality, Christian education, understanding various faiths and church leadership. A threemember committee approved by the Session will review applications, with Pastor Bill Hennessy serving as an ex officio member. Applicants can be North Church members or others associated with North in some way. Most recently, Mary served as artist-in-residence at North Church and was a member of the Adult Education Committee. For many years, she coordinated North s youth confirmation classes. Mary created most of the church s banners and paraments that adorn the sanctuary, chapel and other parts of the building. To apply for the Mary Mohlke Fund for Spiritual Formation, fill out the application located at or call the church office at New Initiatives Fund Available for Program and Activities Last September, a grant from the New Initiatives Fund underwrote Service Sunday, at which more than 100 children, youth and adults worked at 10 sites. The New Initiatives Fund was established in 2015 at North Church through a member s anonymous gift. The Fund s purpose is to provide grant funding for new initiatives for which a source of funding does not exist. New initiatives can be activities, events or programs. They are intended to positively change North Church and either have not previously been done at North or have not been done recently. These initiatives may come from any individual or group within the congregation, including a group gathered specifically to develop and implement the project. A three-member committee administers the fund by reviewing applications and making recommendations to Session. To apply for the New Initiatives Fund, fill out the application located at or call the church office at Sally Munson Scholarship Established in 1983, the Sally Munson Scholarship Fund encourages participation in the wider church. It provides financial assistance to attend denominational meetings, conventions and workshops. The fund honors Sally Munson, who was a leader in the Presbyterian Women of North Church, moderator of the Presbytery of Western New York and a devoted elder. The funding of the

7 Sally Munson Fund comes from memorial and honorary gifts and budgeted annual transfers from the PW operating account. We thank Mr. Richard Meisenza for sending us this weather-worn bulletin, which made its way from a yard in Rochester back to church in Williamsville. I m grateful for the help the Sally Munson Fund provided in 2014, said Cynthia Machamer, administrative assistant at North Church, which made it possible for me to attend a conference in Montreat, NC, on engaging the religiously nonaffiliated. What I learned that week has informed my work at North Church in new and refreshing ways. The fund is coordinated by the Community of Presbyterian Women at North Church. Active, confirmed members of North Church are eligible to apply for the financial assistance. To apply for the Sally Munson Fund, fill out the application located at or call the church office at Look What Blew In Late in December 2015 the church office received an about a piece of paper that a man had found in his yard in Rochester, NY. His sister wrote to us, saying, My brother was cleaning leaves a few weeks ago when he came across a piece of paper we both found it interesting. So we ed back and said we d love to have it. It is a bulletin from 1913 morning service at North Presbyterian Church at Delaware Avenue and West Utica Street. The minister was Rev. Edwin Dickinson and the director of religious education was Rev. William Carter. The bulletin listed their home addresses and phone numbers. 7 (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

8 Support a Local Family Forest Elementary School, next door to North Church, is partnering with Anna s Wish, to support one of its students, Sebastian, who is battling pediatric cancer. Run Forest Run for Sebastian 5k Race will be held at Forest Elementary School (250 N. Forest Rd., Williamsville) on Saturday, April 16, at 10:00 a.m. Register for the race at Also, right here at North Church on that date, there will be a basket raffle from 9-11:30 a.m. Winners will be drawn starting at 11:30. Cheesy Chick, Ted s and an ice-cream truck will be on-site at the church from 10-11:30 a.m. as well to feed the masses. Come, Share Your Ideas The Membership Committee invites you to join them on Sunday, April 10, after the 10:45 a.m. service, in the chapel to discuss the fall rummage sale to offset the deficit. Thank you to those who took the survey about the sale, which will be September 23 and 24 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. We look forward to having lots of folks come out for this informational gathering. The school will be collecting any donations of baskets, gift cards, or Silent Auction items for the event. If you would like to donate, please bring the item to the main office at the school by Monday, April 11. New Security System for Church Soon the security door that uses the fob reader system to unlock the outside door at the main entrance will be replaced by a keypad access code system. To use the keypad you will need to know the code. Cynthia will be developing an list for people who need to know the code(s) to let themselves into the church. If you want to be on this list, you should n.church@verizon.net by April 8. 8

9 There will be a few different keypad access codes: one for members and regular users and one or two other codes for outside occasional users. The codes will be changed from time to time for security purposes, but if you want to be kept up to date, Cynthia will keep a list of those who need to be notified of a new code. If you currently have a fob, please plan to turn it to the church office once the keypad system is functional. Resource Center Open House Come and see all that s available at the Resource Center Open House (two dates) on Thursday, April 28, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., or Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. The Resource Center is located in the south wing of North Presbyterian Church. 9 One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday, April 3 rd, is the day for you to contribute to One Great Hour of Sharing! Kids: Please bring your filled Fish Banks with you to the Children s Time and put your banks in the basket. Thank you so much for thinking of others who are not as fortunate as you! Congregation: Please contribute generously to this special offering! You get so much bang for your buck! You will be helping to feed people, provide assistance when disasters strike and provide self-development opportunities for people locally, nationally and around the globe. You may also contribute safely and securely online at on/donation480_0714/donation1.cfm?d2org=np CWNY&d2tool=Donate. Thank you! Shop Locally and Support One Great Hour of Sharing On April 12 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. you can shop at Ten Thousand Villages at 5596 Main Street, Williamsville, and they will donate 15% of all sales to One Great Hour of Sharing! Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Save the Dates May 4 May 6 May 7 May 11 May 15 May 22 June 12 June 16 July July 21 Sept Oct. 16 Chiavetta s BBQ Chicken fundraiser Lecture: Making Friends with Death Venerable Amy Miller Workshop: Facing Death with Peace Venerable Amy Miller Mindfulness Course begins (four weeks) Tales of Wonder Interfaith Conversation: Congregation Shir Shalom Last Sunday of two services Church picnic Walk of Abraham VBS Northfest at NPC Garage Sale at NPC Flu shot clinic

10 Social Media at North Church Can you identify these stories? Like us on FACEBOOK so you don t miss anything! Go to ville/ today! We re on TWITTER, too. Follow us at And PINTEREST is a source of lots of information: Visit us often at Newsletter Deadline The next North Star deadline is April 15. Followers of Jesus called together in faith, hope and love. 10